Episode 1
Kwon Do-hyun’s life was like a vending machine—anything he wanted appeared at the push of a button.
He was born into privilege: his grandfather was the chairman of Daekyung Group, and his father, the youngest in the family, ran the distribution arm, DK. A silver spoon wasn’t just a metaphor—it was reality.
His wealth was beyond measure, enough that even a lifetime of lavish spending wouldn’t come close to depleting it. Everything he could ever want was ready for him without effort. Life, then, was not only easy—it was sometimes unbearably boring.
[Son, are you asleep?]
Nine missed calls blinked on his phone. His parents, after three miscarriages before his birth, had treated him with a mixture of awe and caution. Every breath he took had been met with praise; strictness was foreign to him.
[Answer your mother’s call. Don’t leave Director Kim hanging.]
Do-hyun groaned at his brother’s text. “Mom’s worse than Director Kim.”
He lay on the grass near the lake, the pride of Seoul National University, and picked up his phone, snapping his fingers to call Mrs. Kang.
“Son?”
“Mrs. Kang, why are you up at this hour? You’re worrying again.”
“I told you, don’t call me ‘ma’am.’”
“Should I call you ‘Manager’? I like that even less.”
Before his military enlistment, he had called her “Mom.” In uniform, that familiarity no longer felt right.
“Are you still out? Your voice doesn’t sound good. Are you sick? Mornings and evenings are chilly.”
“It’s school.”
“Son, sleep is the best medicine. Don’t stay up too late studying. Are you taking the herbal medicine I sent?”
Do-hyun snorted. Mrs. Kang was worrying about all the wrong things.
“But son, I heard something at the golf club today. JS Distribution’s eldest son impregnated a twenty-year-old student and fled. The family is in chaos. Since your father is sensitive about DK stock fluctuations, don’t forget to be careful—”
“What? You want me to share my condom size? Should Mom handle it?”
Mrs. Kang clenched her jaw at his provocations, sighing elegantly when she had no retort.
“There was an article about a scholarship fund with your name on it. Your father noticed—JS being messy like that worries him.”
Do-hyun laughed at the thought of a fumbling rich kid. “I should compare myself to him.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Kang. Being Kwon Do-hyun is my greatest achievement.”
“If you say so… I did a good job raising you.”
Even enjoying life to its fullest wasn’t enough. Protecting what you had became an obsession for those with more to lose.
“Son, trust me. It’s late. Call a driver and go home. Don’t risk drowsy driving.”
Do-hyun pulled out a pack of cigarettes, toyed with it briefly, then put it away. Memories of his military discharge surfaced—packing his backpack and leaving silently for a six-month European trip. Alone sometimes, sailing with friends, partying half-drunk the rest of the time. Eventually, boredom drew him back home, where his mother and brother awaited, tugging him around like luggage and forcing him to exercise until his legs ached.
[Where are you, Oppa?]
[Hyung! When are you coming? Are you still in Damta?]
[Did you go home?]
[Kwon Do-hyun, where are you?]
Emerging from the bar, his phone was on fire with messages. Flipping the screen, he glanced at the time. 11 p.m. Not Pavlov’s dog, but anticipation coursed through him.
A ten-minute walk from the central library to the lake—time to move. He rose, stretching. Standing over 190 cm tall, Do-hyun naturally drew attention wherever he went. He had learned to use that attention as a weapon—to make someone pause, to hesitate.
“Han Yoonseo!”
He smiled broadly, waving. Her expression twisted like she had tasted something foul. Boxy t-shirt, jeans—yet undeniably beautiful.
He had met countless pretty girls—models, celebrities—but Han Yoonseo was exceptional. His heart raced the closer she came. How could someone so slight carry a bag twice her size?
“I told you not to come.”
“Why are you saying such sad things?”
“….”
“We even slept under the same blanket.”
Yoonseo’s eyelashes fluttered as he grinned. Her hand instinctively rose to her chin, attempting to push him away—but he bent down and kissed her palm.
“Are you crazy?” she exclaimed, rubbing her hand against her turtle-shell-like backpack.
Even the way she moved—her grin, her eyebrows, her gestures—was intoxicating to him. He wanted to bite her cheek, her eyes, her entire face.
“I told you before. I just want to go to school quietly. I’m not ready to date anyone yet. You’re popular, handsome, good—but… I’m not ready.”
His words were a careful lie, sweet and soothing, humble yet flattering.
“Because I am lacking.”
Do-hyun fell for her again, watching her suppress frustration with grace.
“Yoonseo, stop talking nonsense.”
“Yes?”
“Give me your bag. It’s heavy.”
She cradled it protectively. He raised both arms in a gesture of surrender.
“Don’t lick your lips. Okay?”
“Ugh, crazy… obvious.”
“Crazy, yes. But normal? Never. This is painstaking effort.”
Life had always been effortless for Do-hyun. No challenges. No struggles. And now, Han Yoonseo—this tiny, stubborn, frustrating girl—was his greatest challenge.
“This is why I hate you, senior.”
Every day, she made him taste the bitter edge of life. Yet… he couldn’t help it. He was fine.
